finding kratos a friend

[ANEarly]

Well he did well for a week and now he is being a bully again.  Either we pet him constantly or we get bit.  So we are now thinking of getting him a friend.  Does he have to have a girlfriend or could he happily have a boy playmate.  I have been searching the local rescues and they mostly have males.  Would I need a second cage for the new bunny?  If Kratos is aggressive with us would he terrorize another bunny?  And why don’t the pet rabbit books tell you this crap so you don’t find out after you have already gotten your bunny?!?

Adriene

[Beka27]

most of the pet rabbit books are very very outdated and geared towards rabbits being disposable. i’d suggest you read some of the bonding info on the House Rabbit Society site before deciding on if you want to do this.

it is easiest to bond males and females (both altered for at least 1-2 months if possible), but even then it takes work. you will need two separate cages, both bunnies will need separate playtime outside of the cages. the bonding process can last anywhere from a few days to a few months or longer. you will have to devote time everyday to the bonding process. make sure you can afford to feed and care for two rabbits, including vet costs.

i just started bonding on sunday and it is not easy at all. i am committed to keeping both of the rabbits separately forever if it does not work out, but i am also not giving up.

[MarkBun]

Some buns are just brats. Remember it is all about them, not you. He may calm down a bit more over time so if you can’t afford a second bun, just stick it out. Make sure he knows that nipping isn’t acceptable behavior. Push and hold his head down gently whenever he does it and say “No!”.

[skunklionshow]

Is he neutered?  If not that might help w/ the aggression.  I think you definately have to work out a plan to understand & deal w/ your rabbit.  To be honest, Jessica & I do not have the most cordial relationship.  At this point I believe we both accept that we have no choice, we are stuck w/ each other so we have more of an “understanding”.  I have used behavior mod techniques to let her know it’s not acceptable to bite or attack me, but also I have learned to respect her space.  I try to really respect her condo and I never “snaggletooth” her when she is in her bed.  I’ll grab her anywhere else but not the bed.  I also have to tap on her food shelf b/f I remove/ or put out new food. 

Jessica did get much less aggressive after her spay and even more so after I bonded her.  However, I think bonding can go either way, for some it makes them happier and more content and others just rue the day you brought that other rabbit into their home.

[Author]

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